Manchester United manager addresses future of 15-year-old Real Madrid target: ‘The situation is what it is’ | OneFootball

Michael Carrick has urged caution over the situation surrounding Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel, with the 15-year-old’s future at Old Trafford becoming increasingly uncertain, with Real Madrid firmly in contention.

Gabriel has attracted significant attention after his representatives told United that the teenager wants to leave the club immediately. 

Real Madrid are among the clubs pursuing him and are understood to be favourites for his signature, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Chelsea also interested.

Carrick was asked about the situation and made it clear that the focus should remain on the player rather than the transfer speculation surrounding him.

“We need to exercise a bit of caution on this matter. He’s a 15-year-old boy,” he said, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Carrick calls for care over Gabriel’s future

Manchester United are still hopeful of convincing JJ Gabriel. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The United manager expanded on his comments when discussing how the club should handle the situation.

“It’s all about the well-being, protection, and care that JJ needs. The situation is what it is, but we must be careful with the way we approach this case.”

Those comments come at a time when United have not given up hope of convincing him to remain at the club. For now, though, everything is unresolved.

Furthermore, Carrick was also asked whether he was personally involved in the discussions surrounding Gabriel’s future, to which he said,

“As a club, for sure, we’re all involved in those conversations. I just think we have to be very careful.”

Real Madrid already have a pathway in mind

Real Madrid are favourites to sign JJ Gabriel. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

As far as Real Madrid are concerned, not only are they interested in Gabriel, they also seem to have planned a roadmap for his development.

If the Spanish club completes a deal, the current plan is for Gabriel to start with Castilla rather than immediately enter the first-team setup. 

That would give Real Madrid a route to introduce him to senior football while continuing his development away from the pressure surrounding the first team.

Real Madrid may be pushing hard, but Carrick’s comments show that United are treating the situation differently from a conventional transfer. 

Gabriel is still at the beginning of his football career, and the club’s priority is to handle his future with care.